Mumbai, March 10, 2026: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state government does not currently plan to impose a legal ban on social media usage for children under the age of 16, but acknowledged growing concerns around the influence of digital platforms on young minds and said appropriate measures would be explored to mitigate its impact.
Fadnavis made the remarks during an on-stage conversation with actor Aamir Khan at the Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year Awards 2026, organised by Lokmat Media Group at Mumbai’s iconic Gateway of India.
Addressing concerns around rising digital consumption among children, the Chief Minister said most social media platforms today rely on artificial intelligence-driven algorithms designed to maximise engagement.
“Today, almost all social media platforms are powered by AI to maximise engagement. This has significantly reduced attention spans, especially among children. Protecting young minds from falling into this trap is a serious challenge,” Fadnavis said.
He noted that while several regions globally have debated regulatory restrictions on minors’ access to social media, Maharashtra is currently examining balanced policy responses rather than imposing an outright ban.
“We are not planning a law banning social media use for children under 16 at this stage. However, the government is closely studying the issue and will certainly take strong measures to reduce its harmful impact,” he added.
During the interaction, Fadnavis also spoke about Maharashtra’s economic trajectory, highlighting the state’s growing global economic significance.
“Maharashtra today is India’s largest sub-national economy. If Maharashtra were an independent country, it would rank among the top 30 economies in the world. If our growth momentum continues, we are likely to surpass economies such as the UAE and Singapore in the coming years,” he said, reiterating the state’s ambition to become India’s first trillion-dollar sub-national economy.
Responding to Aamir Khan’s question on the disruptive potential of artificial intelligence, Fadnavis said the AI revolution is inevitable and societies must adapt quickly to harness its benefits.
“The wave of AI is unstoppable and we must proactively prepare ourselves for it,” he said, citing the Mahavistaar app, an AI-enabled platform assisting farmers with real-time agricultural insights in regional languages, which he said is already being used by nearly three million farmers.
Fadnavis also emphasised the urgency of addressing climate change, particularly in agriculture, highlighting initiatives including plans to provide 16,000 megawatts of solar power to farmers and an ambitious programme to plant three billion trees over the next seven years.
Speaking about the significance of the awards, Rishi Darda, Joint Managing Director of Lokmat Media Group, said the platform celebrates individuals whose achievements reflect the progressive spirit of Maharashtra.
“The Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year Awards recognise individuals whose work inspires society and encourages excellence across sectors,” he said.
The awards honoured individuals across fields including arts, business, medicine, sports and public service. Veteran actor Ashok Saraf received the Jeevan Gaurav Award, while actor Vicky Kaushal was also honoured for his achievements in the film industry. Other awardees included philanthropist Abhay Bhutada, MP Ahammed of Malabar Group, Dr Gyandev Chopra, Dr Gautam Bhansali, Sarvesh Kushare, Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Amit Satam. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was also present at the ceremony.
